Friday, February 24, 2012

ROUND 2 - DAY 4

Progress already!...

        Only a few days in and things are already under way! I was so fortunate tonight to receive some amazing compliments from other musicians I know. They discussed with me how much my voice has improved and my style, presence and confidence also. It is so motivating to get such positive feedback from people who not only know what they are talking about, but who also have had the chance to see me perform since the very beginning here in Singapore and have supported me so greatly along the way.

DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
        45min Vocal Exercises
        Today I followed the 45 minute exercise/warm up CD my singing teacher made for me in order to warm up for my performance tonight.

LIVE PERFORMANCE #1



A couple of quick videos and a very quick snapshot from my performance tonight. I had the joy of playing alongside my friend Dennis. As always, I am not allowed to be paid for any performing I do due to the restrictions of my employment, but I don't mind because I am doing it for the love of it :)

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #6
My usual Banana & Oatmeal Protein Shake but just 'to go' for my ride to work today!

...DAILY INSPIRATION...
Special thanks to my personal trainer Amir for this one!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

ROUND 2 - DAY 3

I can't believe 3 days have passed already...

        It's amazing how much time flies when you are enjoying what you are doing. I seriously thought today was day 2! Hahaha. It was a great day for me today. I did SO much singing practice and I spent my evening shopping for my outfit for my first upcoming photo shoot and then making things for it. Hopefully it will all come together nicely and look cool. I also had the chance to skype with my gorgeous parents today and show them how my 'Look At Me Now' rap song is coming alone. It was definitely not as impressive as one could have hoped but I have definitely come a long way since the first attempt!...

DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
        4 hours Song Practice + another 1 hour Song Practice
Songs Practiced; Family Affair, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Love You Like A Love Song, Marry You, Hey Ya, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Mr Saxobeat, Look At Me Now, Wonderwall, 

GUITAR PRACTICE SESSION #1
        40mins Guitar Practice
I worked on songs from my 4 Chord lesson book. For those of you that don't me, I am basically an absolute beginner and I am not yet able to play a single song. Maybe by the end of this challenge I will be able to!!

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #4
Back to my normal breakfast! 4 Hard Boiled Egg Whites, 1/2 cup Oatmeal w/ 1/2tbsp Flax Oil, 1/2 cup Strawberries & 1/2 tbsp Agavae Nectar, & a glass of French Earl Grey Tea!

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #5
Chicken, Green Beans & Broccoli in a Teriyaki Sauce.

...DAILY INSPIRATION...
I have come to realise that one of the only things that has been standing in my way is myself and my own fear of failure. I have realised that I have been holding myself back and it is now MY time to shine and to live life to the fullest. I am taking steps now towards dreams I was too scared to even acknowledge I wanted now because I was already failing by never trying and never pushing myself. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

ROUND 2 - DAY 2

Getting back in the swing...

        It's hard to get back into the swing of this whole challenge after a break but it's excited to think of what the future could bring if I follow this challenge

DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
        35mins Song Practice
Songs Practiced; Look At Me Now, Marry You, Love You Like A Love Song, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Hey Ya, I'll Be

PERSONAL TRAINER SESSION #1
        2hrs 15mins - Strength Training - Shoulders
Amir murdered me today. The workout was so intense and so focussed on one area. As challenging as it was, I actually find it empowering to push my limits. It's not often that you realise how much easier the mind can give up and make you think you have had enough, when all it takes is to push through it and you can see what you are really made of.

...DAILY INSPIRATION...

ROUND 2 - DAY 1

Here we go again!...

        Round 2 is now underway. I feel refreshed from my break and now I am ready to tackle the new challenges I have set for myself...

DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
         45mins Song Practice
Songs Practiced; Look At Me Now (Rap), We Found Love, Love You Like A Love Song, Hey Ya, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSION #1
         20min Run + 30min walk (6.3km)

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #1
An Apricot & Almond health bar, a Banana & a large glass of Jasmine & Green Tea (not from starbucks, that's just my drink bottle at work)

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #2
A ham, lettuce, tomato & mayonaise sandwhich!

HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #3
One of my tasty protein smoothies... 1/2 cup Oatmeal + 1tbsp Flaxseed + 1tbsp Agave Nectar + 1 scoop Protein Powder + 1 cup skim milk + 1 banana + 1tbsp natural peanut butter + pinch of cinnamon = delicious!

...DAILY INSPIRATION...
Before I came across the idea for this challenge, I was wondering how I would ever find a way to motivate myself and how I was going to push myself. I never expected to do something like this (let-alone twice!) and it has been the biggest unexpected blessing to my life. In one month alone, I achieved things I had said that I was WANTING to do for so long. I am dying to see where this next month takes me...

Monday, February 20, 2012

ROUND 2 - THE RULES

THE RULES

For those of you who have not already seen my first 30 days challenge... As a singer, your voice is not just the instrument, YOU are the instrument. The better you feel not only technically, but also physically and mentally, the more capable you are of giving a great performance. I originally 'borrowed' most of these rules from the Broadway Dance Centre's famous "Full-Voice Challenge" and tailored it suit my own needs and requirements in order to push myself towards becoming not only a more skilled and confident performer, but also a happier and healthier person. ROUND 1 was so successful for me that I decided I wanted to do a ROUND 2. I have changed up the rules this time so that I stay inspired and motivated and so I can ensure that I continue to grow and continue to learn! 


THE 30 DAY VOICE CHALLENGE REQUIREMENTS


30 x DAILY VOCAL PRACTICE SESSIONS
        Min. 30mins per day of singing practice. You must write a brief 'Daily Practice Report' outlining what your practice session consisted of.
2 x VOICE LESSONS WITH A PROFESSIONAL VOCAL COACH
        Min. 60mins per session. Sessions must be documented with a 'sign-off' photo or video featuring you and your vocal coach.
5 x GUITAR PRACTICE SESSIONS
        Min. 30 mins of guitar practice. 

3 x LIVE VOCAL PERFORMANCES
        YOU perform LIVE!!! You are to perform at least one song in front of a live audience on two separate occasions. Performances must be documented by photo or video.
2 x LIVE PERFORMANCE VIEWINGS
        Go out and see a live professional performance that INSPIRES you and post a photo of your ticket stub or program.
2 x YOUTUBE VOCAL COVERS

        Learn a new song, master it, and film yourself performing it and post it to YouTube.... The catch for ROUND 2!? One has to be in another language!
2 x PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOTS
        Two seperate photo shoots in the style of your choice with a professional photographer.
30 x HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEALS
        Fuel that hard working body!!! Take snap shots of some of your healthy food choices & post them.
8 x PERSONAL TRAINER SESSIONS
        Min. 60 mins in duration with the personal trainer of your choice. 
12 x BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSIONS
        Min. 45 mins. Types of sessions can include but are not limited to; Personal Training, Workout DVDs, Zumba, Gym Group Classes (Step, Pump, Spin, BodyCombat, etc.), Yoga, Pilates, etc.
3 x DANCE CLASSES
        Min. 60 mins in a style of your choice
5 x CHARITABLE DEEDS / ACTS OF KINDNESS
        Pay it forward! Find 5 ways to give back to society and make someone's day. Document these acts via photo or video and post it on your blog.




***SIDE NOTE! 
A few of you have asked me what my reward to myself was for completing the first 30 days!.... I ordered myself a pair of replica Christian Louboutin Gazolina Thigh-High Boots! I have been wanting these shoes for almost a year and finally I have something special to reward myself for! I will post a photo once they arrive!


ROUND 2 STARTS TOMORROW!... Wish me luck...